U.S. men's national team head coach Gregg Berhalter remains confident in his capability to lead the squad, despite their recent struggles in the Copa America. The team's journey came to an abrupt end after securing only one win and finishing third in Group C with a mere three points. This disappointing performance has sparked a comprehensive review by the U.S. Soccer Federation.
Group Stage Struggles
Group C was dominated by Uruguay, who secured a flawless nine points, while Panama clinched second place with six points. A critical moment for the U.S. team came during their crucial match against Panama, where they suffered a 2-1 defeat. This match was further marred by the early dismissal of Timothy Weah, who received a red card in the 18th minute.
Reflecting on the loss, Berhalter acknowledged the blow it dealt to the team. "Obviously, the loss against Panama really hurt. I think when you talk about being, 80th minute, in a good position to get a draw and get something out of the game, we didn't get it," he said. Berhalter also pointed out specific areas needing improvement, particularly the team's low block defending. "When you look at that moment specifically, there's some issues there. I think in that game in particular, a low block defending, needed to improve in that moment."
Comprehensive Review Announced
In the wake of their early exit, the U.S. Soccer Federation has announced a comprehensive review of the team's performance. Berhalter emphasized the importance of this review in identifying where the team fell short. "We're going to do a review of the whole tournament and see where we fell short. The margins are so small and there's very little separating any of these teams and you have to treat every game as the same," he explained.
Berhalter, now in his fifth year as head coach, remains optimistic about the team's path forward. He highlighted their effort and resilience, despite the disappointing results. "When you see the effort tonight that we put in, it's incredible. The guys did a great job. They worked extremely hard, put in a great effort against a really good team but that needs to be the standard every time we step onto the field," Berhalter remarked.
Analysis and Outlook
The U.S. team's Copa America roster featured a significant number of players who had competed in the 2022 World Cup, underscoring the squad's capacity. The presence of three players aged 30 and older also highlighted the blend of experience within the team. Despite the setbacks, Berhalter remains hopeful about the team's prospects. "Defensively, we're a very good team. Most games, we have higher expected goals than the opponent. We create chances, we move the ball well. To me, the whole thing is, you want to keep moving the team forward and I feel like we have," he said.
Berhalter also noted the depth of the squad and the number of players who have contributed in games, emphasizing the progress made and the need for continued growth. "You think about the depth of the squad, the number of players that have played in games, so there's certainly improvement and we need to keep going. In my opinion, it's not something you say, 'Okay, this program's doomed.' It's not the case at all. It was a poor performance, we didn't get the results we expected and we need to get better."
As the U.S. Soccer Federation prepares for its comprehensive review, the focus will be on identifying gaps and crafting a strategic plan to elevate the team's performance in future tournaments. While Berhalter's tenure and tactics continue to be subjects of scrutiny, his steadfast belief in his capability to lead the team serves as a crucial anchor amidst the upheaval. When asked if he believed he was the right fit for the job, Berhalter simply responded, "Yes."
The outcome of the federation's review will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of the U.S. men's national team. With a focus on addressing weaknesses and building on their strengths, the potential for improvement remains within reach.